chasing light through photography
***
Rome is a light that you’d recognize anywhere.
A technicolor sky, reflections on the river and birds flying up above.
It’s the great beauty, flowered balconies, crowded restaurants and open bars.
A traffic mess, cars anywhere, dirty streets, messy public services.
It’s a never-ending vacation, a mellow and joyful decadence.
Rome equals time slowing down.
And finding yourself by the river over and over, catching a different sunset each time.
***
There are days when you’re in one of the places you love the most, at the hour that you prefer and with a camera on hand. People pass you by, friends may speak to you but you’re only half there. Your mind eager with anticipation.
And maybe it’s because you know you won’t get more chances for weeks or months, but you just wait for that moment that could – should – be about to happen as the most precious gift.
And if you’re lucky enough for it to happen while you’re right there waiting on the first row, that the Roman light turns that particular shade of gold and slowly paints the water below, the walls, the leaves – you just feel your heart might burst and you’re at a loss for words. There you remember exactly why you so often bother to carry a camera with you. Because one needs a tool to share the world, its light and shadows, whenever words are just not enough.
Sweet evening friends.
***
« Not all that wander are lost » J.R.R. Tolkien
Venice by night, from above, is a spot in the sea you can barely tell from the sky / it’s a bus crossing a sad plane / pouring rain / sea smell / heart beating faster / eyes stuck to the side window / half-deserted steamboats / a city that appears and disappears / lingering / appealing.
It’s walking on rainy alleys / turning back / going forth / laughing out loud ’cause you’re lost again.
It’s a velvet curtain leading to yellow-earth walls / merry familiar tones that mend your heart / steaming dishes / toasts and joy.
Dozing Venice lets itself be sweetly tasted / silently walked through. It’s the echo of your footsteps / water splashing / the wind on your face / lights sparkling on the other side. It’s a swinging bed / sleep falling over you as if you were a child.
Venice in the early morning is grabbing something to put on and rushing outside. It’s the sea smell / church bells somewhere / wind / clouds rushing by.
It’s your eyes full of wonder / water and sky / sky and water / all around you. It’s walking leisurely / smelling the air / deserted alleys.
It’s crossing a threshold and entering a different dimension / eyes open / lights / shadows / what you feel you don’t need to understand.
Venice is the new and the old / up and down / bridges to cross / water to bless you. It’s an uninterrupted wonder of light and colors.
Venice is this and a thousand things more.
Dear Rome,
the weather was not our friend this time. We had to adjust most of our outdoor plans and cancel a special, long-expected encounter because of the rain. But, one walk in the city center and you’re forgiven. How beautiful you are, my hometown. How much I miss you. You keep a piece of my heart whenever I leave.
Farewell to this summer
***
Walking on country paths I used to know very well.
The kids look so grown up against these secular olive trees.
I tell them all about how beautiful the mimosa tree will be in the spring, covered in yellow fluffy flowers whose scent can be smelled from far away.
Having lunch outside in the middle of winter
strolling down the beach
looking at fishermen and kyte-surfers
collecting seashells
throwing stones into the waves.
I guess my Roman ancestors knew how to pick their locations.
A typical Roman winter day.
Cold but sunny.
Bathing in the brightest light,
under a perfect blue sky.
*Ce moment-là*
Ce rituel hebdomadaire, inspiré de la rubrique de SouleMama comporte d’habitude une photo, sans commentaires. Un arrêt sur image sur un petit grand bonheur, du quotidien ou extra-ordinaire, que j’ai envie de chérir et garder hors du temps. Aujourd’hui, ce sera plusieurs photos et des mots, pour raconter une journée qui restera gravée pour toujours dans nos mémoires.
Après ces journées d’incrédulité et de peur, l’émerveillement. Jamais je n’avais vu autant de monde dans les rues: une véritable marée humaine à perte de vue. Mais aussi, des gens qui souriaient et se parlaient dans les rames du métro bondées au lieu de râler; qui applaudissaient les CRS et chantaient tous ensemble la Marseillaise. Comme si, face à l’épreuve, ce peuple qui est devenu un peu le mien aussi, avait (re)trouvé l’unité au lieu de la division. C’était très fort et très émouvant. C’était le 11 janvier 2015.
*This moment*
This weekly ritual, inspired by SouleMama’s blog normally entails a special picture, without subtitles. A unique, everyday or extra-ordinary delight that I want to record and cherish. This time it’s gonna be a few pics and words to describe a day which will remain in our hearts forever.
After this week’s moments of bewilderment and fear came the biggest surprise. Never had I seen so many people in the streets; it seemed like a sea of people everywhere. And they were laughing and talking in the overcrowded underground instead of quarreling, they were applauding policemen in the streets and singing the Marseillaise. As if, in the darkest hour, this people who has become a bit mine too, had found (back) unity instead of division. It was strong and deeply moving. It was Sunday 11 January 2015.
*Ce moment-là*
Un rituel hebdomadaire, inspiré de la rubrique de SouleMama: une photo spéciale, sans (ou parfois avec) commentaires. Un arrêt sur image sur un petit grand bonheur, du quotidien ou extra-ordinaire, que j’ai envie de chérir et garder hors du temps. Si le cœur vous en dit, insérez votre lien dans un commentaire pour que tous puissent le voir.
*This moment*
A weekly ritual, inspired by SouleMama’s blog. A special picture, without (or sometimes with) subtitles. A unique, everyday or extra-ordinary delight that I want to record and cherish. If you wish to do the same, do share your link in a comment for all to see.
Nous voilà de retour après nos vacances en Italie. Deux semaines de congé au milieu de l’année pour la première fois depuis des lustres. C’était bien, les amis, oh que oui! Mais, les jours ont passé et le temps de partir, avec son pincement au cœur, est arrivé. Les enfants étaient ravis de retrouver leur maison à Paris, pour moi c’est toujours un peu plus difficile, ça demande quelques jours d’acclimatation…
En regardant l’année qui vient de se clore, je suis reconnaissante:
pour mes deux enfants magnifiques, sains, sensibles et drôles, qui s’épanouissent sous mes yeux jours après jour
de m’être rapprochée encore un peu plus de la personne que j’ai envie d’être et d’avoir appris à m’accorder plus de temps pour moi
d’avoir, dans des moments difficiles, trouvé la sérénité au fond de mon cœur
d’avoir beaucoup plus souvent ressenti de la gratitude pour ce que j’ai plutôt que le regret pour ce que je n’ai pas
d’avoir trouvé le temps et le courage d’accomplir Ce (petit grand) pas sur la lune!
Je n’ai pas de résolutions particulières pour cette nouvelle Année, sinon de continuer à chercher la sérénité, la gratitude, la joie et confiance en ce que j’ai.
Et vous, les amis?
Je vous souhaite une année pleine de joie et de beaux moments à partager,
bon 2015!
And so we’re back from our holidays in Italy. A two week break as I hadn’t done in a long time and it was good, oh so good. The days have flown by and the time to leave, with its bittersweat taste, finally arrived. The kids were happy to find their home back while for me it’s a bit more difficult, it takes me a few days to settle down.
Looking back upon the year that has just come to an end, I am grateful for:
my two beautiful, sweet and smart kids whom I have the chance to see evolving each day
having come a few steps closer to the person I want to be and having learned to grant myself more me-time
having found peace and strenght in my heart in this year’s difficult times
having felt gratitude for what I have rather than regret for what I don’t have
having found the time (and courage) to do this Step on the moon!
I don’t have any special resolutions for 2015 apart from walking further on this path of finding peace, joy, strenght and gratitude in what I have.
And you, dear friends?
I wish you a bright New Year, full of joy and of many tiny happy moments to cherish,
happy 2015!
CRISTINA PORZIO 